A bight and vivid red with so much perfume. Aromas of black currants and violets that follow through to a medium body with fine, linear tannins that are long and very refined. Tannin-driven but caressing. Racy and elegant, with structure. 81% cabernet sauvignon, 15% merlot and 4% cabernet franc.

A very convincing nose here, elegant yet clearly showing a fine concentration, with black plums, violets, griottes, soot and dark chocolate. Despite this forward intensity on the nose the palate is polished and harmonious, with a rich core of dense and finely grained tannins, which coat the mouth with a gentle intensity, supporting the layers of dark and confident summer fruits, the whole package pushing into the finish, leaving the palate coated in a long, tannin-infused finish. A rather classy and restrained Pichon Comtesse this year, with an elegant expression of the vintage’s fruit, with superb structure underneath. This is going to be one of the great vintages for this estate. The blend is 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, and the yield here 24 hl/ha, picked from August 28th, finishing September 24th. It takes 55% of the crop, the remainder going into Réserve. The alcohol is reported to be 13.1%.

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2025 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande strides confidently out of the glass with classic notes of cassis, ripe, fresh plums, and wild blueberries, followed by hints of lilacs, pencil shavings, and tilled soil with a touch of crushed rocks. The palate is wonderfully graceful with tight-knit black fruit and floral layers, supported by firm, fine-grained tannins and great tension, finishing long and minerally. The blend is 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc. It has a pH of 3.7 with a TPI of 73 and the alcohol is 13%. (LPB)